Washington Way - Issue 04

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Welcome

CONTENTS 04

News

What’s going on, who’s doing what, where, when and how – all the latest community news from around the town

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S

NewTown Radio

Music to our ears – Washington has finally got its own radio station and it’s building some big momentum...

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Little Onions

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Washington’s youngest gardeners are doing their bit to help the community... and it’s not all just plants

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Mickey’s Place

The new food bank that’s far more than just a food bank

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VE Day

Washington folk take to the streets to soak up the sun and celebrate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe

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Supporting the town

Volunteers answer the call to help the vulnerable through these testing times

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Eating in

Burgers, hotdogs, waffles and cookie dough – we have a night in with Cream Curls

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What’s On

We look at some of the best activities on & offline to keep busy during the lockdown

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O…..another few months have flown by and here we all are, still living in times of uncertainty although it’s fair to say things have improved since the last edition.

As we pounded the streets of Washington in early May with the last edition, it was strange.

The streets were silent, the normal hum of the surrounding roads wasn’t there and as we sweltered in spring heat, we enjoyed listening to the birds singing as well as getting to meet many of our readers along the way.

So what’s changed in two months?

Well, since issue four, a lot more businesses are up and running, pubs were just getting ready to open their doors again as we went to press and the town’s restaurants and cafes were pressing on with takeaway food and readying themselves with outdoor seating.

We’re also excited for the reopening of hairdressers and other shops/businesses as slowly but surely, we return to something resembling the world we used to know.

And another thing that’s changed is your Washington Way. Yes, this copy you’re holding in your hands is bigger and better than ever before.

As promised, we’ve upped our pagination to 48, which gives us more space to cover all of the exciting news happening around the town.

We really hope you like it and remember, we are Washington’s only dedicated news publication and we are here to tell YOUR stories and news. If you want to appear in our pages, please send us your news to the email addresses in the left hand corner of this page.

Stay safe and keep well,

Zoë Burn, Editor

GET IN TOUCH » Send us your news to news@washingtonway.co.uk » To be included in our What’s On and listings section, send information to listings@washingtonway.co.uk » To advertise with us email ads@washingtonway.co.uk or call 07437 590 405 » To contact the editor, please email zoe@washingtonway.co.uk

WELCOME

Editor: Zoë Burn Managing Editor: Aaron League Community Editor: Angela Burn Publisher: Clubhouse Media Group Cover image: Clubhouse Media Group Printers: Acorn Web Offset

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

PUBLISHER

PO Box 533, Gateshead, NE8 9EW E: CONTACT@CLUBHOUSEMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK W: WWW.CLUBHOUSEMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

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NEWS

Words: Angela Burn, Zoë Burn, Aaron League Images: Angela Burn, Clubhouse Media Group, Sunderland City Council, Kirsty Barker, Bombay Barn

STAY ALERT FOR GIANT HOGWEED

Giant Hogweed has been spotted just down the bank from Fatfield Bridge, and passers-by are warned to keep their distance...

A LARGE crop of Britain’s most dangerous plant has appeared along the riverside areas at Fatfield.

Heavy rainfall and floods earlier this year has helped increase the growth of Giant Hogweed, an enormous, striking plant with large leaves.

It was originally brought to the UK in the 19th century to adorn the gardens of stately homes, but is now our biggest pest during the months of June and July.

This is not just a plant that stings, it is one to be avoided at all costs. The sap contains toxic chemicals which react with light, causing severe blisters that form 48 hours after contact with the skin.

This can result in scars that can last up to six years, and can cause the victim to have a lifetime sensitivity to sunlight. It can also cause blindness if it gets into the eye.

Back in 2012, 13-year-old pals Jamie Arthurs and Ben Beresford of Washington were enjoying a dip in the river, and accidentally touched one whilst climbing out, resulting in severe burns and a two day stay in hospital.

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Fatfield has always had these plants in summer, but there are more than usual this year, so readers are being urged to be alert.

When the Washington Way team visited Fatfield, we noted the main paths to and from Cox Green are fine. You can see the plants standing tall near the river, but they are either behind the white fences or on the riverbank.

With a lot of awareness about these plants now, people do tend to report them if they spot them in public areas.

A few weeks ago one was spotted sticking out into the footpath beside Fatfield Bridge, but this was immediately destroyed.

However, there are many small tracks leading down to the river where Giant Hogweed has previously been spotted - and this is where the danger lies, even more so if you have a dog.

Sniffing any part of this plant can result in horrendous injuries to a dog’s nose or skin if it brushes past them, as the leaves are often hidden in the undergrowth.

The same applies to anyone exploring

the riverbank, who could accidentally come in contact with the leaves or stalk.

Medical advice for anyone affected is to wash the area immediately with soap and water, and keep out of the sun for a few days.

Pet owners are advised to do the same, but doctors recommend wearing protective gloves whilst washing your dog.

Giant Hogweed is easy to spot because while striking, it also has a menacing look to it, standing tall amongst the surrounding flowers and grasses.

It is often confused with Hogweed (not the giant variety) and Cow Parsley, as the flowers of all three plants are similar, and they tend to grow in the same areas.

The other two are completely harmless, so it’s worth noticing the differences between them if you can, both are much smaller, although the harmless variety of Hogweed can sometimes grow quite tall.

For anyone unsure of the difference, it would be worth avoiding all the tall white flowers in the area at this time of year, that way there is no confusion.

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

News

KEEP DOGS OFF HORSE FIELDS, OWNERS WARNED DOG owners are being urged to stay away from the private fields owned by Washington’s Riding for the Disabled.

The centre, at Stephenson Road, is pleading with people to stop walking their pets on their privately-owned fields after someone damaged bushes to get onto the land.

The hub has had problems in the past with dog walkers on the land, but

the situation has got worse since the lockdown was introduced.

Trespassers have ignored warning signs and fencing and even cut a bush down to gain access to the field to walk their pet pooches.

“We ride horses in this area to keep them fit and we also grow crops in this field to feed our horses,” said a Riding for the Disabled spokesperson.

Maureen and Brian Wilson displaying their collection of street art

INCINERATOR INQUIRY COULD RESUME IN SEPTEMBER WASHINGTON’S controversial gasification plant could still be on its way with plans to resume a public inquiry in September.

After grinding to a halt for the last few months thanks in part to Covid-19, the process could resume later this summer.

Building firm Rolton Kilbride had been due to begin the inquiry back in February, but proceedings were adjourned for a number of months due to commercial negotiations between the appealant and the council.

Based at Hillthorn Park near Nissan, the renewable energy centre would provide recovery of energy from non-hazardous residual waste using an Advanced Conversion Technology, often known as gasification.

Works on the site would include a new vehicular access route from Infiniti Drive and the installation of underground electrical connections.

Rather than take on an inquiry next month as was originally planned, the public will now wait until September when – if an inquiry is needed – talks will resume.

But a continuation is dependent on negotiations and a decision set to be made by the new mid-August deadline as to whether to forge ahead or withdraw

“Please do not trespass. A farmer has been fertilising the crops and this is poisonous to animals.

“If you walk your dog here it will get on their paws and may cause severe illness.

“We are working on other measures to keep people out and are asking the community not to go on our land. There are plenty of other places to walk your dogs.”

the appeal altogether.

The proposed schedule is as follows:

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•

•

• •

14 August 2020 – Deadline for completion of negotiations and confirmation to PINs of withdrawal or continuation of the appeal 28 August 2020 – If required: Deadline for submission of a) any updated evidence, although this must be exceptional, b) intended application for costs 15 September 2020 – If required: Inquiry resumes 15/18, 22-25 September 2020 – If required: Inquiry dates, to include an evening session.

STREET ART A WASHINGTON couple have been brightening up their community with their own pop-up art gallery.

Maureen and Brian Wilson put on an exhibition of textiles, knitting, crochet and felting outside their house in Blackfell to cheer up neighbours and passers-by.

Maureen belongs to the art group Materialistics, which created these versions of famous art pieces as part of a large project called A Grand Tour, which travels around art galleries. 

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DONT BE FOOLED BY

COWBOY COLLECTORS HOMEOWNERS are being warned not to use cowboy waste collectors as Sunderland Council cracks down on offenders.

The warning comes after a number of householders across Sunderland were ordered to pay clean-up costs after the waste they had paid to have taken away was found dumped in rural areas.

In each case the householders had paid ‘a man in a van’ to take the waste away and now council chiefs are now warning residents across Washington that they too could suffer the same fate.

Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Cllr Michael Mordey, said: “Residents shouldn’t be fooled by these cowboy waste collectors. They have absolutely no scruples when it comes to fly tipping waste they have been paid to take away.

“As householders we all have a

legal duty of care to make sure our waste is disposed of lawfully. Failing to do so is an offence, so if these cowboys take your waste and then dump it, it’s you who could end up footing the bill for the clean-up.

“If you are arranging a private collection you need to be really careful to check where the waste is going and whether they have a valid waste carrier’s licence.”

People can check if the waste collector they’re planning to use has a license on the Environment Agency’s website or by calling them on 08708 506 506.

Alternatively, residents can arrange for up to six items to be taken away for £10 by booking a bulky collection through the City Council.

Just one example of waste tipped by ‘cowboy collectors’...

For more information visit the website: www.sunderland.gov.uk/article/12143/ Bulky-waste-collection

VIRTUAL CHOIR WINS PRAISE FROM COMPOSER A LOCAL choir director has scooped praise from an American composer after he used one of his songs for a virtual choir.

Throughout the lockdown, a number of singing groups have been using the internet as an alternative to their regular meetings, and virtual choirs are becoming more and more popular.

Local musical director Richard Jennings decided to set up North East Virtual Voices, as an alternative to Washington Inspire Ladies Choir, which he normally runs in Concord.

With his many musical connections, Richard roped in a dozen singers, all from different choirs around the region, and got to work producing his first video.

“The first one was a learning curve” he said. “I had to provide practice tracks and learn how to synchronise all the voices.

It took me quite a long time, but it was worth it.

“Our second attempt attracted a few more singers, 26 in total. We decided on Go Now in Peace by American composer Don Besig, as his songs are very popular with choirs.

“This one went together smoothly,

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and I was happy with the result, uploading it onto YouTube.

“The very next day I received a message from none other than Don Besig himself, congratulating us, and commenting that he was pleased that his music was being heard all over the world in this way.

“All the choir community know of Don Besig, so this message from America has been a tremendous boost to us.”

The singers are now working on their third piece, Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen.

“We have just about 40 people rehearsing,” Richard added.

“Because the last one had around 800 hits online, we have had many new

Musical Director Richard Jennings with his virtual choir YouTube Video, which has received praise from the composer of the song

enquiries, which is wonderful.”

Anyone interested in the project can visit www.inspireladieschoir.weebly.com and click Northeast Virtual Voices in the menu where there is a link to email Richard for further information.

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

News

CYCLIST THANKS COUNCIL WORKER WHO SAVED HIS LIFE A CYCLIST who suffered serious injuries after a crash in Washington has thanked the Sunderland City Council worker who came to his aid.

Allan Card, 69, was riding his bike in Fatfield, just a short distance from where he lives, on the morning of Thursday 28 May when he was involved in a crash that left him lying unconscious in the road.

“I don’t know what happened,” Mr Card admitted. “I cycle every day and on this occasion I must have only been out for five or ten minutes when I was thrown from my bike. The next thing I remember is people around me and realising that I was hurt.

“I didn’t know how long I had been unconscious but I was in the road injured and in a dangerous situation.

“I am so grateful for the strangers who helped me, especially the man who was driving a Sunderland City Council van who had first aid equipment and sheets with him.”

Michael Lee, a Building Officer from Sunderland City Council’s Building Maintenance team, helped when he saw passers-by Steven Ward and another man called Danny struggling to help Allan on their own.

Mr Lee said: “I was driving along Biddick Lane after collecting a delivery when I came across Danny, Steven and Allan. At first I thought it was a road traffic accident, but Allan himself wasn’t sure what had happened as he was in a state of shock.

“I have had some first aid training, so I was able to help, and we were able to stay with him until Lesley and the ambulance arrived.”

Steven, who lives in Fatfield, explained: “When I found Allan he was lying on the wrong side of the road just after a blind turn.

“He had many injuries, not least his helmet which had splintered and gone into his eye, and he was bleeding extensively.

“Michael saw me trying to rescue him and stopped his van to shield my car and help me. Not only that, but he made a bed for the unconscious cyclist using his

Allan Card, 69, shortly after his cycling accident

decorating sheets and did a truly amazing job of administering first aid.

“I cannot commend his action and bravery enough, especially given that some members of the public would not even walk past us for fear of coronavirus.”

Allan’s wife, Lesley Card, revealed that it may have been a very different story if not for the generosity and care of others.

Ms Card said: “I hate to think what would have happened if these amazing

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

strangers had not been so selfless. It really does restore your faith in human nature.”

Both Lesley and Steven contacted Sunderland City Council hoping to identify the council employee who they say saved Allan.

“It may not be possible at the moment, but when lockdown is over I hope I can shake Michael’s hand,” Alan added. “I can’t thank him enough for his help.”

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

BOMBAY BARN HELPS FEED THE TOWN INDIAN restaurant Bombay Barn is continuing to boost community spirit thanks to meal donations and a growing food bank.

The Concord establishment, which has delivered meals to isolating and vulnerable residents ever since the start of lockdown back in March, has also stepped up to provide key workers and frontline medical staff with food as they continue to fight the coronavirus.

There has even been a push to help youth groups. The Little Onion Club and the Washington and Houghton Girlguiding Division’s Scouts, Brownies and Rainbows, the latter of which has moved its meetings online, are also among the organisations who have turned out budding chefs thanks to Bombay Barn’s pizza kits.

With dough, sauce, cheese and everything needed for youngsters to practice culinary skills, the kits have proved to be a big hit.

Angela Marshall, Girlguiding Division Commissioner and Leader, said: “Bombay Barn not only brought a smile to our girls but also to us the leaders who have not seen most of the girls for 10 weeks.

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“It was fun, uplifting and totally awesome! We may not be running face to face but we are still Guiding just a little bit differently.”

Bombay Barn boss Arif Sheikh has also continued to bolster his food bank inside the restaurant in a bid to help feed those struggling during recent times.

Launched in April amid the height of the Covid-19 crisis, the food bank has received donations from businesses all over Washington and even Tesco Gateshead, while supporting the likes of the Washington Community Food Project and more.

“It is really great that we are receiving so much support,” Mr Sheikh admitted.

“Our team is working every day to raise spirits in the community and build our food bank. I really hope our efforts are reaching the most vulnerable.”

To donate to the food bank, get in touch with Bombay Barn on 0191 415 5022 or stop by their restaurant at 23 Front Street, Concord.

FLOWER POWER

Wildflower and meadow seeds planted by members of Wessington U3a are flourishing at the end of Fatfield Bridge.

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

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Births, Weddings, Bereavements SHARE YOUR FAMILY NEWS THROUGH US

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Bob Singh: there’s plenty more to come One shop owner and an army of volunteers have been jumping at opportunities to give back to good causes, charities and more – and it doesn’t look like they’re slowing down any time soon…

Words: Aaron League Images: Clubhouse Media Group, Washington Volunteers

J

UST when you think Bob Singh has had his fill of giving back to his local community, reaching new donation heights and organising good deeds across the North East, he goes and does it again.

With every passing charitable act, he and a gang of dedicated volunteers have another bigger, better and more impactful plan around the corner.

Bob, the proprietor of Nisa Barmston, has been involved in everything from distributing bread to those in need to getting hand sanitisers to key workers,

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sending masks to workers at the new Nightingale hospital and even raising money for cancer care.

Raffles have helped boost funds for the likes of MacMillan Cancer Support, Oliver’s Journey and Stacey Pentland, bringing the shop’s total tally of funds raised to well over £15,000.

Last month, Bob and the crew even received a certificate of recognition from the NHS for their work in raising more than £5,000 for Rise Above Cancer.

And that, the shopkeeper reveals, is just the start…

“From day one, everything’s been done on a big scale – the hand sanitisers, the NHS donations, the things with the council, the Easter bunnies, bread buns, all in the thousands,” Bob tells Washington Way. “That’s how I like to do things, big numbers. We’ve been doing all these things for three months so I’m really in the zone.

“We’re doing a 10k challenge now, so we’re going to raise £10,000 for a charity for terminally ill kids. We’re going to give 100 buckets to 100 businesses and ask

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

On the Cover

Clockwise from top left: A certificate of thanks from the NHS; (L-R) Peter Stanton, Marion Taylor, Bob Singh, Bob Taylor; a model boat donated for a raffle was given back to its owner after Singh drew the winning ticket; former professional boxer Joe Calzaghe’s glove was among the raffle donations them to raise £100 each – that’s nowt is it?

“We’ve still got to up our game. You’ve got to remember all these charity shops have been shut for three or four months now, so the money has gone right down.”

With what seems like a never-ending to-do list to lend a helping hand, Singh is showing no signs of slowing up the acts of kindness.

And as one of his busiest volunteers – Bob Taylor – reveals, it’s just as important to help out now as it was way back in March at the beginning of lockdown.

“Some things have changed, but a lot hasn’t changed,” Taylor admits. “A lot of people still aren’t working – shops might be opening up but people still aren’t going back.

“We don’t really know how long this will go on. The queueing could last for a long time. So the charitable side of it is just as important now as it was when we first started because there are still people out there suffering.”

With so much planned, Singh is always looking to bolster the army of volunteers that have helped out along the way.

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

And while he’s staying tight-lipped on the next big charity bid, he promises that he and the band of do-gooders are only just getting started.

“We’re going to keep on doing what we do, helping out people in need and doing bigger things – starting with the 10k challenge. We’ve already raised over £3000 for that just by word of mouth alone.

“Once we box that off, we’ve got something else, something much, much bigger in the pipeline – and from there we’ll just keep going.” WW

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MUSIC TO OUR EARS Washington’s first ever dedicated radio station has burst onto the airwaves…and the hunt will soon be on for new talent.

Words: Zoë Burn Images: NewTown Radio

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T’S been a long a time coming... but Washington residents can at long last tune in to their very own radio station.

NewTown Radio has finally broken cover to bring round the clock entertainment to people across the town and beyond.

And now the team behind is keen to get the whole community involved in the coming months as the station grows and the town begins to head back to some sort of normality following the Covid-19 crisis.

NewTown Radio – also known as NTR Sounds – is the brainchild of Craig Conway and partner Andrea Davison, who both grew up in the town and wanted to help give it its own voice and identity.

Craig, who many people will know for his acting prowess on stage, film and TV, recently returned to the town after a number of years in London and quickly realised there was a big need for a radio channel designed just for Washington.

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WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

NewTown Radio

Clockwise from right: Craig and Andrea on the mics; the station is set to play music from all sorts of genres and artists

“Within Washington, you’ve got this huge town with almost 68,000 people in it,” he said. “It sits between three cities but the town itself doesn’t really have its own voice or identity at times. It just seems to get overlooked.

“We wanted to kind of do something to make a change in a town where we both grew up. Andrea’s lived here all her life and I’ve recently come back so we decided if there wasn’t anything here, we’d do it ourselves.”

GOING LIVE The station was due to officially launch on Saturday July 4, but many people were tuning in before that as the app and website went live.

“We’ve got loads of stuff going on,” said Andrea. “We aren’t like normal, general radio stations that play commercial music constantly, we are all things you don’t normally hear on commercial radio.

“So we’ve got various shows - a country

music show, a show dedicated to theatre and cabaret shows. We’ve got a horror show from America, a wellbeing show and then we’re going to have things like soul music, disco, funk, dance…just a massive, massive range of music and entertainment.

“Craig and I are going to have a talk show with music and banter and stuff like that and then we’ve got loads of exciting things planned for the future.”

Craig, who has appeared in numerous TV shows including Vera, Wire in the Blood, Our Friends in the North and The Game also has dozens of film credits to his name and is an acclaimed stage actor and producer.

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Born in South Shields, the now 45-year-old moved to Washington as a child and attended Washington School – now Washington Academy – before heading to Shiney Row College to study performing arts ahead of pursuing a serious career in acting.

And it was at Shiney Row where he first met Andrea. “We actually met in 1993 at college and we developed a great friendship but when we left he went to London and did his thing while I stayed here,” she revealed.

“I went to Newcastle College to do a HND in Performing Arts then went to Sunderland University and got a degree w in Creative Arts. For personal reasons I

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Clockwise from above: What the sound decks of NTR could look like; the NewTown Radio team; Andrea and Craig promote QuaranTyne; a look at the NTR app (box out)

“We’ve got a horror show from America, a wellbeing show, soul music, disco, funk, dance…just a massive, massive range of music and entertainment.” – Andrea Davison  ended up getting a full time job.

“I had my daughter, family life took over and I moved into estate agency and had given up those early dreams of a career in drama.

“Last year Craig and I started talking again and ended up getting together.

The radio station was Craig’s idea but I immediately knew it was a good one so we got to work straight away.

“I’ve grown up in Washington and lived here all my life so I know what Washington is like. We need our own

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voice, our own identity so to bring something like a radio station to a town like this is just going to be amazing.”

BRAINSTORMING Craig and Andrea run the station with two other partners, George and Louise Heron, who they were introduced to shortly after the lockdown as Craig dabbled with another radio show to ease his boredom.

“I needed to keep my mind creative so had come up with the idea of a show called QT Radio which was short for

QuaranTyne, where I invited friends who I’d worked with over the last 30 years in film, television and theatre to just chat, play some music and see what it was like.

“I was then put in touch with George Heron and he and his wife Louise supported our idea along with some people in Newcastle and various stations played the show live on a Thursday night.

“It went really well and we were totally shocked. We started thinking what to do when we came out of quarantine and we just thought ‘hang on, if people like this show and we know other people who are doing shows across the UK , we thought why don’t we try and set up here?

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

NewTown Radio

“George was manager at another station and we started chatting because he was moving on and he said ‘look, if you want to make it happen let’s start Washington’s own digital station’ and that was it, NewTown Radio was born.”

George has picked up the mantle of Station Manager and looks after the dayto-day running while Craig and Andrea form the management team with Louise.

THE BIG PICTURE As the station launched on July 4, the programming included a selection of shows from across the UK and the US and the plan now is to find Washington talent.

NewTown Radio is part of a much bigger plan by Craig and Andrea, who are also working hard to create D15, which will be based at Washington Academy.

“We are setting up D15 which we want to become a hub for creativity and wellbeing in Washington and the aim is that both will work together,” he explained.

“So as well as set up a radio station, we’re working with all of our partners and Washington Academy to try and be ready for September when the schools all return.

“The idea is that D15 will collaborate with NTR so they become one and the same and then the idea is we’re going to base it right in the heart of Washington so the studio and D15 can run together.

“We’ll be telling stories through all sorts of mediums about this community, the relevance of this community and helping people at a disadvantage to help themselves, their families and community via creativity and wellbeing and using NTR as one of the voices used as a platform.”

Before the station officially launched, NTR Sounds had already attracted a large number of listeners from around the world as the team released the app and experimented with different ideas.

“We’ve had people listening in and it’s been great,” added Craig. “We’ve been just playing around and trialling shows and getting listeners from all over the country and America so it’s been quite bizarre but really brilliant to see.

“We prepared a full programme of shows for the launch and the next thing for us is looking for regional and local talent from Washington to fill it with shows, podcasts all that sort of stuff and basically celebrate and collaborate with

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

the Washington community.”

NewTown Radio broadcasts every day from 10am until midnight and then repeats through the night with plans to expand the number of shows and find new DJs over the coming weeks and months.

People will be invited to get involved soon, with announcements broadcast on air along with across NTR Sounds’ social media channels. Follow @NTRSounds on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. WW

LISTEN IN NTRSounds is available to download now on iOS and Android and is also available on Alexa or you can listen via the website: www.ntrsounds.co.uk

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SAY WHAT??

Through The Lens Reader Liz Matthews captured this gorgeous image of bluebells at Washington Old Hall during one of her many lockdown strolls near her home in Washington Village…

A WORD OF THANKS

I’d just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who got in touch in response to our plea to help North East Sewing for the Front Line in the last edition of Washington Way. We supplied a number in the magazine for everyone who wasn’t online or don’t use Facebook to follow our work and the response was so good it was unreal.

We’ve had so many phone calls from people who hadn’t seen us online but wanted to get involved, it’s been amazing.

We’ve had loads of calls from professional retired dressmakers who aren’t on the internet so didn’t know about it, including one lady in Concord who not only gave us some wonderful material for scrubs, she also donated £100.

I’d liked to say a massive thank you to everyone who has responded, donated, got involved in any way and also to Washington Way for helping us reach this huge section of the community that

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doesn’t use the internet or Facebook.

Deb Callaghan

OFF YOUR TROLLEY

What is peoples’ obsession with dumping shopping trollies all over the town?

I don’t understand why it seems to now be common practice to bring home your shopping in a trolley from the supermarket and then just dump the trolley somewhere.

Surely if you absolutely must bring a trolley home with you, then you can just take it back next time you go to the shops?

There’s no need to just leave them lying all over the place.

It’s been going on for years and I don’t think anywhere else in the area is as bad as Washington is.

I don’t think there’s a single green space in the town which doesn’t have at least one trolley dumped on it at any time. It’s not difficult to take it back and clean up after yourself.

Ken Hardy

A GOOD READ

I wanted to write in to let you know how much I have been enjoying the Washington Way magazine.

We haven’t had anything like this for years. I always loved the Washington Star but that just stopped one day and we haven’t had our own paper since.

It’s been a really good read so thank you to everyone involved. I really look forward to it coming, particularly since I’ve been isolated since March. Keep up the good work.

Margaret Thompson

GETTING FRIENDLY

Has anyone else noticed how people have become friendlier since the coronavirus?

As someone who has walked my dogs for 40 years around the town, I’ve noticed such a difference in the last few months.

Whereas once you’d meet one or two people who’d sort of give you a nod or say ‘alright’, now just about everyone you pass smiles or says hello.

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

Letters

looking back

WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH!

No, it’s not the Bash Street Kids – this little gem features children from Blackfell Junior School in the mid 1980s following a village litter-pick.

The photo was taken by our community editor Angela Burn - who must also be held accountable for the terrible hairstyle of our editor Zoë (pictured centre, sitting in a pram) and was published in the former Sunderland & Washington Times free newspaper.

We believe it must’ve been probably 1984, ’85 at the latest and was taken after the whole school took to the pathways of Blackfell to clear up as much rubbish as they could fi nd in one day. *If you have a historic Washington photograph or memory you would like to share or have a specific question about the town’s history, please email news@washingtonway.co.uk Washington History Society would also love readers to share old images so the organisation can continue to preserve great memories of the town’s past - visit the website: www.washingtonhistorysociety.co.uk I wonder if they will keep this up when things go back to normal?

Wendy Hargrieves

has been a lovely experience.

Eileen Johnson

I didn’t think I’d ever say this living in a town, but lockdown has given us such an opportunity to study nature.

I’ve been able to watch a nest of blackbirds in my back garden, watching the parents patiently feeding their babies something I’ve never really thought about before now.

Two of my colleagues say they’ve also had nests in their gardens and another friend in Barmston says she’s seen squirrels on Waskerley Road for the first time. Watching and listening to the birds

When are parents in Washington going to take responsibility for their childrens’ actions and whereabouts?

All through lockdown we’ve had groups

THE KIDS ARE NOT ENJOYING THE WILDLIFE ALRIGHT

of youths gathering around the subways and other public places as if there was nothing wrong.

I went into Concord one evening at about 5.30pm and was shocked. There were two gangs of girls shouting and arguing across the road with each other and just outside the betting shop was a gang of about 12 youths.

At a time when we have all been trying to social distance, these young kids made it impossible to safely pass them as they took up the whole footpath. Some of them were even spitting.

I’m shocked parents have so little common sense that they just let them go out with friends at a time when everyone else was staying indoors. Anyone who has kids who they have just let roam wild like this should be ashamed of themselves.

Dirk Charlton

SEND US YOUR LETTERS

If you want to appear in our letters pages in future editions, please email news@washingtonway.co.uk and make sure to put ‘Readers’ Letters’ in the subject box.

Alternatively you can write to us at Washington Way, PO Box 533, Gateshead, NE8 9EW. We reserve the right to edit correspondence.

Please send all potential Through the Lens images to the same addresses. Please note, we are unable to return photographs.

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

17

News

Knowin

Washington’s youngest gardeners have been keeping themselves busy while helping others during these crazy times…

Words and Images: Angela Burn

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WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

Community

wing ing their G REEN-fingered youngsters have been finding new ways to help those in their community during the lockdown.

Members of the Little Onion Club have swapped their plants for pens and have been busy writing letters and poems to care home residents who have been unable to see their families or friends during the challenging last few months.

The organisation began in 2018 as the brainchild of teaching assistant Vicky Calder and her young daughter Maisie, now eight.

Keen to encourage children to grow vegetables, Vicky searched for a suitable gardening plot.

“Sunderland Council was really helpful and let us have our own patch at Usworth Park in Concord,” she explained.

“The Clean and Green group loaned us tools and we got to work with local youngsters and their parents, planting vegetables.

“That first summer we produced potatoes, peas and strawberries, and the kids made scarecrows for the park.”

The idea behind the project was for the children to link in with older members of the community.

Vicky and fellow directors Kim Scott and Joanne Mahon approached Manor House Care Home, offering to grow produce in its garden, with the kids and residents working together.

The team later moved to Donwell House Care Home for a year and now have a permanent base at Willow Brook assisted living facility in Spout Lane, where they are now growing vegetables in the gardens.

“We have a greenhouse and shed there and it’s also the venue for our indoor meetings and workshops.”

Now a Community Interest Company, Little Onions runs a variety of classes and Clockwise from left: Maisie Calder (8) with examples of donations to Willow Brook assisted living; Little Onion Club Directors Kim Scott (left), and Vicky Calder, with her daughter Maisie (8); Layla Murphy (box out); Lily Thurston (6) of Usworth showing off her sunflowers and onions

nions

groups, including an after school club, outdoor play for pre-school children, and various family-friendly events. This is done with the help of parents and volunteers.

Produce is sold from a stall every month, and fundraising events take place twice a year to raise the £1200 needed for an outdoor workshop at Willow Brook.

Due to the Covid-19 situation, everything has been on hold since March but the fundraising has continued via the club’s Facebook page.

It also works in conjunction Sunderland Museums, recently receiving an art award, as well as one from Gentoo in its Grow Gardening competition.

At Easter, the group presented eggs and gifts to Willow Brook residents, and in the last few weeks has provided lap wraps and dementia hand blankets for those who need them.

Helpers donate craft items to be given as gifts and 79 Sunflower seeds have been planted, one for each apartment.

Unfortunately, the restrictions have meant the garden planting has had to be organised by adult volunteers over the last few months, but Washington’s youngest gardeners have still kept themselves busy.

“The children were disappointed at

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being unable to help so some of them have planted seeds in their own gardens and are growing peas and vegetables themselves,” added Vicky.

“To cheer them up, we devised a Covid 19 Time Capsule project which is keeping them busy, as well as a Covid Snake made of decorated stones for the front of Willow Brook.

“They can’t wait to pick up their trowels again and work together, but until then they are keeping happy and helping others as much as they can” For more information about the Little Onion Club, visit the website: www.thelittleonionclub.org or check out the club’s Facebook page. WW

CARING LAYLA KEEPS BUSY LAYLA Murphy (above) is one of the young members who have been working tirelessly for the Little Onion Club since the crisis began.

Along with planting vegetables and flowers, the eight-year-old organised and sent two food hampers, one for Donwell House and another for the St Michael’s charity organisation.

She also set up a stall outside her house in Usworth collecting money for hand creams which she donated to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Layla’s latest venture was a name the bear raffle, which raised £73 for the Little Onion Club. The busy youngster spends the rest of her time creating drawings and poems to send to homes and hospitals.

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Filling bellies not bins

We meet the folk behind Washington’s newest food bank and community hub who are working tirelessly to save leftover food from going to waste…

Words: Zoë Burn Images: Angela Burn

P

”

LEASE help yourself to bread, take as much as you can use” are the words on a blackboard outside of St Michael’s and All Angels Church in Sulgrave.

It’s true. Just inside the gardens is a shopping trolley bursting with Hovis loaves, along with an assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables, items of clothing and other household items.

Volunteers mingle with members of the community who’ve dropped in to collect a food parcel, many are carrying takeaway food cartons containing soup, curry or cakes and Rev Julie Wing is holding court as she chats to friends and visitors in the sunshine.

Welcome to Mickey’s Place, Washington’s newest food bank – although, as Rev Wing quickly points out, this is far more than just a place to pick up a food parcel.

“Mickey’s Place is a community hub,” she explains. “Nobody is ever turned

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away from here, we are open to anyone and everyone.

“I’ve been here about six years and for that whole time we’ve always been a distribution point for a food bank.

“But because this is one of my churches and we know the people here, for the last two years we’ve been discussing that it had to be more than a food bank. A food bank is a sticking plaster, it’s not the cure.

“Ruth had been doing research and discovered if you have all the help in one spot when someone comes for a food parcel, they are less likely to need that food parcel long term.

“The more agencies that a person can meet on their first visit to a food bank, the less time they will need to use it.

That’s the whole point behind Mickey’s Place” Having been a big part of Washington’s food bank, there had always been a benefit worker on hand and now, more organisations are coming on board.

Mickey’s Place has the support of the likes of Gentoo and Headway and more organisations hope to get involved in the coming months to help give visitors even more support.

DRIVEN BY THE PEOPLE “Wherever we recognise a need which is driven by the people who use this place or because of our knowledge of the area, then we will try and put some provision in here for them to use,” said Ruth.

“Even the food bank side isn’t just a food bank where we hand over food.

We’ve felt for a long time that these people need more than just being given a food parcel and told ‘there’s your food for this week, see you next week’, because they get home and look in bag and think ‘what the hell am I going to do with all of this’.

“We’ve identified a need of basic catering skills. People have come here and we’ve had all sorts of different veg and people have said ‘what’s that and what do I do with it’. If you tell them, they come back and say ‘that was great’ I really enjoyed making that.”

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

Mickey's Place

Clockwise from above: Norma Taylor with a trolley full of donated bread; St Michael and All Angels Church in Sulgrave; plenty of broccoli to go around; the ‘help yourself’ blackboard Mickey’s Place officially opened its doors in May, but it’s a project which has been in the pipeline for two years, as Julie revealed.

“We’ve discussed if for two years and were going to open just before Christmas, that had to be put on hold then we were going to open two days before the lockdown.

“We decided to wait until the lockdown was over and then open but the need was so much that one day when I came in, a few of our members were here and

we realised it was ridiculous to hold on anymore and we just opened.

PERFECT TIMING “The timing was right. We’ve been a bridge for a lot of people. Everyone’s situation has changed so much in the last few months and we knew if ever there was a time we were needed, it was now.”

Part of the original plan was to open a pay-as-you-feel café and it didn’t take long before Julie and Ruth realised there was scope to offer takeaways.

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Two chefs are on hand to cook up a storm using the ingredients donated to the food bank and takeaway meals are now flying out the door.

In May, Mickey’s Place gave away 580 takeaways and this had more than doubled by the end of June, when the number of meals given out topped 1200.

“Again these are for everyone, anyone in the community. A lot of children haven’t gone back to school and we all know how much kids eat when they’re in the house.

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

Mickey's Place

Clockwise from above: Mickey’s Place collections are open to all; from soup to pasta, the menu board bears all; fresh herbs ready and waiting “People also get sick of cooking so the takeaways are ideal.

“The food is good quality, we use what we have and we never know what we’re going to have, which is part of the fun. For instance, we had loads of aubergines so we made moussaka. Some people have never had it before.

“People ask what to do with things, and this is what the café’s going to be about, getting the community involved, giving them a reason for getting involved.

Ruth is passionate about wiping out food waste and she’s a real driving force behind it.

“Hopefully when we get back to normal, we’ll be teaching people how to cook with the food they get from the food parcel.

A PLACE OF LEARNING “A lot of people don’t have a cooker, so we teach them how to cook using the microwave, we source white goods through WISP – again, we identify the need and we look for the cure.”

A thrift shop has been a recent addition, which Julie admits started by accident, but has proved valuable to

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members of the community who need clothes but don’t have computer access for online shopping.

Mickey’s Place is run by a management committee of seven with support from local councillors Jill Fletcher and Fiona Miller, plus eight volunteers while members of the community regularly drop by to help.

Unlike other food banks, it doesn’t ask for donations. Instead, it relies heavily on kind-hearted local businesses who want to support the community.

“We couldn’t have done it without Sunderland Council, but our biggest thanks has to go to Thorburns in Concord, Browns in The Galleries and to the Company shop. We also occasionally get fresh food from Sainsbury’s.

“We won’t be specific about what we need and we won’t ask for what we need because whatever people are willing to

give, we will gratefully accept.

“One of the best donations we ever had was a little girl who came in with £2 pocket money and said ‘I want to help feed a little boy or a little girl.”

“We’re not about building an empire, we’re about helping the community, sharing what we’ve got and raising people’s aspirations.

“We love what we do, and we love the people…but we’ll be even happier the day this is no longer required.” WW *Mickey’s Place is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9.30am-noon and everyone is welcome to go along. For more information visit the Mickey’s Place Facebook page.

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

July 2020

WASHINGTON

NEIGHBOURHOOD INVESTMENT PLAN

F

OLLOWING the approval of the Washington Neighbourhood Investment Plan at Cabinet in March 2020, and which featured in our last Newsletter, no-one could have anticipated the impact the Coronavirus (COVID-19) would have across the world.

The Council’s Area Arrangements service, who were working directly with elected members and Area Committees to finalise the Investment Plan Delivery Plans, were immediately mobilised to form Covid-19 Area Community Hubs, which turned out to be a full time role supporting our most vulnerable communities alongside our voluntary and community sector partners.

As the Covid-19 lock down began to ease in late May, we have been left to reflect on the learning from community hub delivery, as well as re-consult with residents using the Sunderland Let’s Talk – which originally informed the emerging

The main themes for the Washington Neighbourhood Investment Plan: • Environment and Green Spaces • Infrastructure • Community Spaces and Places • Heritage and Culture • Employment and Training Support • Health and Wellbeing • Community Inclusion including support the VCS and volunteering • Young People • Community Safety and tackling crime • Welfare Rights and Adult Social Care priorities for the Neighbourhood Investment Planning.

To reflect any possible changing needs at a local level as we move into the recovery phase for Covid-19, further

resident engagement is underway to enable the Council and its partners to speak with residents about how they are feeling, where they believe the key priorities now fit and how we can move forward as a city at a neighbourhood level, to rebuild Sunderland’s resilient communities for the future Residents also clearly stated during the Let’s Talk consultation that they wanted to know more about what the Council was doing within neighbourhoods on a day to day basis.

The Neighbourhood Investment Delivery Plans will become available to view via the Council’s website once agreed.

Residents will be able to track delivery of priorities as well as investment within the neighbourhoods from across Council services.

This tracking facility will not only keep residents informed, but also enable them to see where they could also get involved to support community efforts or projects.

Through the delivery of the Neighbourhood Investment Plans, alongside a bespoke and intensive communications campaign, Sunderland has a real opportunity to transform its neighbourhoods, developing a joint pledge alongside communities and partners to regenerate and create more resilient communities and to influence and enable positive community behaviours.

Area Committees will continue be at the heart of this transformation journey.

A host of new projects ready to go...

IN March, just before Covid-19, the Area Committee approved some new projects for Washington, which unfortunately, due to lockdown and restrictions have been delayed.

As restrictions ease we are now talking with the projects about starting to deliver these much needed and area specific initiatives.

WASHINGTON OUTREACH PROJECT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE The Sunderland Together Youth Consortia will be working with local youth providers and other key partners to reach and support young people wherever they meet and gather.

EVENTS The team which delivers the Washington Events Programme for 2020/21 will now be looking at how our much loved Washington Events can continue...albeit in a different way.

CLEAN & GREEN The Washington Clean & Green Project will also continue to recruit local people and volunteers to keep Washington Clean and Green.

Building on two years of success, this much loved initiative is looking forward to re-engaging across the area.

COMING SOON There is a raft of projects just waiting in the wings to help address Social Isolation.

• Never too Late to Learn……courses and learning for older people.

• Bowes Heritage Trail – trails and trips to our local heritage spots for older people • Mother & Babies support at the Millennium Centre • Steps to Recovery through Washington MIND

The 1940s Weekend, the Washington Carnival and the Christmas Illumination events might all still happen, just at a different time and in a different way.

Watch this space for more information.

Washington

AND THERE’S MORE… We’ve also got a few projects waiting to get restarted once restrictions lift.

Among these are Movers on the Move, a dance programme for older people through Sunderland Empire Creative Learning, Walking Football at the Washington Leisure Centre, Think Positive

Neighbourhood Investment Plan covering the wards of Washington: Central, East, North, South and West

Thursday at Springwell Village community Venue, a variety of courses and learning opportunities with the Washington support Group for Men at the Millennium Centre, and a new upcycling project Trash to Treasure with Groundwork NE. In addition, children and young people will start to benefit from a range of activities through the Positive Activities Programme…most hoping to start in the summer and some for what will be the traditional October half term.

SUPPORTING VULNERABLE RESIDENTS THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY HUBS IN response to the Coronavirus pandemic, Sunderland City Council, supported by its many partners, has developed community hubs all across Sunderland.

The community hub structure has proved to be effective and efficient in our response to supporting our most

VOLUNTEER TODAY SUNDERLAND City Council’s community hub and volunteer platform supports the projects, people and places in our neighbourhoods with the aim of matching residents who want to volunteer with vital groups and organisations in the local community.

To share your experience, expertise and enthusiasm with our neighbourhoods and communities, sign up today at tiny.cc/volunteerwashington

vulnerable residents during Covid 19, therefore they will remain in place as we move into our recovery phase.

There are five community hubs covering the five geographical areas of the city. Each hub is managed and overseen by the Council, with partnership support and direct links with our Voluntary and Community Sector organisations and other external partners.

Every household across the city received a copy of the City Council Covid-19 leaflet which clearly explained how residents who needed help could ask for it either by phoning our Freephone number or completing an online form.

Over 200 Washington residents contacted us to ask for help and support.

The leaflet also provided information for those residents who wanted to volunteer and help in their community and over 200 Washington residents came forward to the council to offer their support - to pick up shopping and prescriptions, put bins out, walk dogs and provide friendly phone calls to keep people in touch with the outside world.

The swift response to the Coronavirus pandemic, the support provided to our most vulnerable people and the efforts

TO mark the start of National Volunteering Week, the Council landmarks were lit up in rainbow colours.

Posters were emailed to volunteers and many volunteers printed them off and put them in their windows.

Social media profile frames were created and volunteers provided the council with photos of themselves walking dogs, delivering shopping and told us why they wanted to help.

If you would like to see all our volunteering opportunities please visit: www.sunderland.gov.uk/volunteering from all volunteers and community organisations have made a big difference.

Hopefully, many relationships that have been formed will continue long after this pandemic has ceased.

Be a key part of your Washington community by learning what’s happening in all five wards of the town. Join the conversation today at: facebook.com/WashingtonSunderlandCommunity If you need support or would like to help please use the following link: www.sunderland.gov.uk/article/17092/Need-support-or-want-to-help-

CONTACT YOUR

WASHINGTON COUNCILLORS WASHINGTON CENTRAL Cllr Len Lauchlan Cllr.Len.Lauchlan@Sunderland.gov.uk 0191 9068526 | 07833 482475

Cllr Fiona Miller Cllr.Fiona.Miller@Sunderland.gov.uk 0191 4166839

Cllr John Kelly Cllr.John.Kelly@Sunderland.gov.uk 0191 5611922 | 07917 556634

Cllr Graeme Miller Cllr.Graeme.Miller@Sunderland.gov.uk 0191 4166839 | 07769 886932

Cllr Bernie Scaplehorn Cllr.Bernard.Scaplehorn@Sunderland.gov.uk 07940 435087

Cllr Linda Williams Cllr.Linda.Williams@Sunderland.gov.uk 07774 416778

WASHINGTON EAST

Cllr David Snowdon Cllr.David.Snowdon@Sunderland.gov.uk 07788 415480

WASHINGTON NORTH Cllr Jill Fletcher Cllr.Jill.Fletcher@Sunderland.gov.uk 07717 348206

WASHINGTON SOUTH Cllr Louise Farthing Cllr.Louise.Farthing@Sunderland.gov.uk 0191 4179960 | 07788 191189

WASHINGTON WEST

Cllr Henry Trueman Cllr.Henry.Trueman@Sunderland.gov.uk 07789 922335

Cllr Dianne Snowdon Cllr.Dianne.Snowdon@Sunderland.gov.uk 07825 052048

Cllr Tony Taylor Cllr.Tony.Taylor@Sunderland.gov.uk 0191 4151518 | 07786 732748

Cllr Peter Walker Cllr.Peter.Walker@Sunderland.gov.uk 0191 4172007 | 07790 785922

Cllr Dom Armstrong Cllr.Dom.Armstrong@Sunderland.gov.uk 07810 056469

Cllr Dorothy Trueman Cllr.Dorothy.Trueman@Sunderland.gov.uk 07917 554259

In association with

FORGING AHEAD with

S

North East

Futures UTC

TUDENTS at North East Futures UTC have been beating the lockdown education break with new remote learning initiatives which have enhanced the entire knowledge sharing process.

A technical school in central Newcastle for 14-19-year-olds, the college opened in 2018 and specialises in nurturing the talent and enthusiasm of students interested in the Healthcare Science and Digital Technology industries – two of the region’s largest and fastest growing sectors.

Since March 23, North East Futures UTC has been closed to most students but the site has remained open for a small number of vulnerable young people and the children of key workers. And throughout the pandemic, the team has maintained a high standard of education.

With students from all backgrounds - some without access to an internetenabled device – the school is in the unique position to ensure every student has continuous access to a device to allow working from home.

The team drew on proficiency with Microsoft Teams to support education and communicate with students remotely to monitor their progress.

Lessons were delivered to sixth form students as webinars, assignments were set online and students could connect with teachers if needed.

Along with engagement and completion rate tracking, feedback was available to parents and carers to see how well their child was progressing, as well as how they adapted to working and learning from home.

North East Futures UTC was also able to continue some of the amazing work

of its industry partners, including remote careers talks, industry mentoring and careers meetings, virtual work experience, careers-based webinars and projects.

Students have successfully kept up to date with the curriculum content and these incredible achievements have been celebrated via the UTC’s social media channels and the awarding of extra house points.

For those students who found it difficult to keep up with work and learning outside of the school environment, supportive strategies – including remote meetings, similar to a parents’ evening where teachers and tutors could review missed content and help students plan to catch up – were implemented.

As lockdown has continued, the college has also addressed the additional anxiety many students will have for their family, education and future.

Through ‘safe and well’ emails, the pastoral team has carried out the school’s duty of care and closely monitored how each student has coped.

Along with additional support from the pastoral team, students who required extra support were given the opportunity to take up remote counselling sessions.

On June 15, in accordance with Government guidelines, the UTC began ‘bubble teaching’.

Under new guidance, one class is invited to attend one day a week at the Covid-secure site for face-to-face teaching with the primary focus on revision and catching up.

By using Teams for lessons, specialist

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

Clockwise from left: Remote learning in action; students in the UTC’s Sports Hall; Year 10s return to class; one of the school’s virtual assemblies

teachers have been able to instruct remotely on classroom screens while the bubble teacher supports and facilitates the class in person.

Not only has this method proven effective, but it has also allowed students who are not ready to return to school to continue to access their lessons at home.

These ‘bubble teaching’ days have been an important step forward in ensuring the community of the school stays together and stays strong.

Looking to September, the UTC is eager to take a big step closer to normality.

For students, this will include safely being in every day with the staff continuing to support them towards fantastic outcomes and desired destinations.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges to the entire education sector, there have also been opportunities to consider how education can be delivered differently.

And with North East Futures UTC’s remote learning initiatives proving to be an efficient and effective method of knowledge transfer, students need not worry about any extended time away from the classroom going forward.

learn more

North East Futures UTC is currently welcoming applications for the upcoming academic year. To get your teen started on the booming science and technology career track, head to

nefuturesutc.co.uk

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brations

n Village cele

e Washingto s captured th ew th at M z Li Reader garden piece. ng memorial ni un st is th with

Residents of Blencathra in Albany adorned the street with special flags and more as music filled the cul de sac.

Flags, fun & friendship as Washington marks

W

E may have been in lockdown, but nothing could stop Washington folk taking to the streets to celebrate VE Day. Residents from all over the town organised street parties and events on May 8 to mark the 75th anniversary.

Communities pulled together to make bunting and flags to adorn their homes and streets, people whipped up buffets and organised entertainment to ensure the day was recognised, despite the social distancing rules.

And of course, the weather played into everyone’s hands as the sun beamed down on all those partying, with celebrations running late into the night all over the town. WW

VE DaY

Blenc people of The good alo o ti celebra n music and

When it comes to partying at a dist ance, the residents of Roche Cou rt had it down to a science - bunting, bee r and banter.

ate when e way to celebr There’s only on spital... we’ll 28 me out of ho you’ve just co drink to that!

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VE Day

eet with special VE Day flags, Unio

n

Blackfell resi dents were o ut soaking up people of Pi the sun with pershaw gat plenty of spac hered on thei r local green e inbetween for music an as the d a picnic.

shine with ng the sun yi jo n e ra d friends Blencath hbours an ig e people of n e d si g alon celebration

across d windows of ers adorne st anniversary o p th 5 d 7 n a e s th g a d fl te s, ra ie Popp wn celeb n as the to Washingto Europe.

Victory in

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Poppies adorned the trees in a big way in the middle of Springwell Village

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SUPPORT THROUGH D

Cloclwise from below: One of Bombay Barn’s pizza kit donations; Washington Community Food Project continuing deliveries; Washington Mind has used virtual tools to deliver support; care home staff receive PPE from the Rotary Club

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WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

Helping Hands

RTING THE TOWN H DIFFICULT TIMES Over the last four months life has changed dramatically for Washington residents…but thankfully a number of projects, charities and volunteers are working hard to keep the community on its feet Words: Zoë Burn Images: ShARP, Bombay Barn, Washington Mind, Spirit of Washington, Washington Community Food Project, Washington Rotary Club

I

T’S been a life-changing four months for everyone, but a number of support projects in Washington have been working tirelessly throughout to ensure the vulnerable and those who need help are still receiving it.

And at the heart of it all are the kind-hearted volunteers from all four corners of the town who have risen to the challenge of looking after their communities.

Sunderland City Council and a number of partners have stepped up to support those who need it – while members of the community have played a vital part, assisting in all kinds of ways.

Following the launch of community hubs – see pg 25 – communities across Washington mobilised themselves like never before, looking out for each other and working together to support the town’s most vulnerable residents.

Teams have been working closely with the likes of the Voluntary and Community Sector Network, GP Alliance, Sunderland Care and Support, Sunderland Public Health, Gentoo, Northumbria Police and others to enable partners to maximise their resources efficiently to benefit all residents.

Volunteers were coordinated through the council’s volunteer platform and members of the voluntary and

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community sector immediately began to support communities, supported by small council grants.

Many organisations were under financial pressure for a range of reasons including loss of income from activities, but still wanted to help.

HUBS OF SUPPORT The hubs offered support to residents by calling those who have been shielding to check on their welfare or making home visits where they were unable to reach them by phone.

Under the new community hub structure, volunteers who registered to help were matched with people who had requested support.

Around 30 volunteers were directed to Sunderland North Community Business Centre (SNCBC) which acts as a direct link to Washington’s community hub, mainly to help with shopping.

However, these volunteers have been turning their hands to various other things, such as providing hundreds of activity packs to young people and vulnerable residents to try and improve both physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Once volunteers have been assigned to residents in need, the community hub  staff have continued their support by

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Clockwise from above: Washington MIND’s online cooking demos help bring people together; local teams using 3D printers to manufacture PPE; part of Bombay Barn’s food bank; pizza donations to key workers; Jacqui Reeves of Washington Mind; the Rotary Club sent plenty of PPE to care home workers

 making regular contact to ensure their needs haven’t changed and check up on their general welfare.

“During these calls we received some wonderful feedback in response to the volunteers who are helping them,” said a spokesperson from Washington Area Committee.

“It has been wonderful to listen to the kind words of appreciation that our residents have said about our Washington volunteers and during National Volunteering Week,” Along with supporting the volunteer networks, Washington Area Committee has also funded another of projects across the town to continue to help and support residents.`

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HELP THROUGH THE CRISIS Among these is Washington Individual Support Project (WISP), managed and run through ShARP at Shiney Row. The project supports local people who regularly visit food banks and are in crisis, with advice worker Julie Lynn on hand to offer all kinds of help, such as welfare and benefits advice.

Chief officer and project manager Sylvia Copley explained how changes have had to be made during the Covid-19 crisis to ensure everyone who needs help continues to receive it.

“The service has continued to be available at the times it normally would be,” she said.

“Masks have been available, places

have been thoroughly cleaned, we’ve done things differently with more preparation but it’s just doing what needs to be done so people can still access the service that they need.

“It has worked, we’ve seen an increase and that isn’t unexpected to be honest.

The issues coming through have been loneliness, social isolation and there have also been people who have found themselves for the first time to need this support.

“But I’m always surprised by the

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

Helping Hands

lending a hand SUPPORT continues to flood in for those across Washington who are in need, with scores of projects, businesses and organisations doing their bit to help their communities.

These include:

resilience and strength of people and there’s a very strong community, there really is.

“It’s amazing how people have pulled together, everyone’s just rolled their sleeves up and done exactly what needs to be done to support people and I can’t speak highly enough.”

Washington MIND is another project which has really stepped-up its hard work over the last four months to ensure everyone who needs help gets it.

BUSINESS AS USUAL Services Manager Jacqui Reeves revealed that almost all of the centre’s projects, schemes and activities have been running as normal, albeit in a slightly different way.

“We’ve worked right through with full support,” she said. “We’ve changed our delivery to telephone and digital so we use Zoom and Teams to deliver training and group meetings.

“We’ve offered telephone support or Zoom meetings to all our counselling clients and started a few new services. For instance, we’ve got a live chat service now so people can get an instant response.

“We also started a private Facebook group for people who would normally come to our social support services were

we do quizzes, keep fit, just about all the activities we would’ve done every day, but we do them digitally on there.

“One thing that’s been great is our service users have really supported each other.

“It’s been a really positive place. I think when this is over, we’ll have taken a lot from it and will probably keep some of the new digital way of working going forward.”

Also working hard to support the community is Washington REACT. Offered through the SNCBC, the project provides employability services and support for people living in Washington and seeking employment.

Despite the restrictions in recent months, the project has continued to deliver its essential service and has even stepped-up its work to support people who have lost their jobs due to the Covid situation.

With more requests than ever during this challenging time, REACT continues to give free employment advice and gives help on how to create and write a CV, learn new job skills with digital training, claim benefits and ultimately help find another job.

Like everywhere, the offices may still be closed but all services have been offered as usual over the telephone, along with online and digital support. WW

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• Springwell Community Venue, Fare Share, Springwell Residents Association and Springwell Chapel, who continue to provide weekly food parcels to local residents • Mickey’s Place at St Michael and All Angels Church in Sulgrave – see pg 20 • Washington Community Food Bank operating from Oxclose Church and Unit 0 in The Galleries, Tuesday-Friday from noon-3pm.

• Oxclose & District Young People’s Project has been supporting young people throughout the pandemic, with staff supporting one-to-one support online and by telephone • Headway continues to support the Washington Brain Injury Group with doorstep food parcels from Mickey’s Place, arts and craft packages and offering online exercise programmes for members • Rickleton Residents Association and Washington Forge Rotary are supporting via information sharing to keep residents up to date and offer help and guidance • Bombay Barn in Concord continues to run its growing food bank and is helping young peoples’ groups with its pizza kits • Leave a Tin Washington collects tins from residents which it then distributes to those in need • More than Grandparents charity is still offering telephone support and crisis help along with food donations and activity packs for children. It also distributes donated laptops to kinship children who need them to help their education • Spirit of Washington is a volunteer hub which provides scrubs, masks, toiletries, knitted blankets and more to NHS, care homes and workers along with supporting vulnerable residents and other projects

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Azure residents beat the lockdown blues Words: Zoë Burn Images: Azure Charitable Enterprises

T

WO Washington residential homes are winning the battle against Covid-19 after locking down early then providing residents with a host of new activities to make their lives as normal as possible.

Azure Charitable Enterprises operates two homes in Washington Village and has been providing support to adults with learning difficulties for 25 years.

Staff made the tough decision to close both centres’ doors early as soon as news of the coronavirus hit, and residents soon found themselves in lockdown for more than 15 weeks.

Concerned of the impact of not seeing

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loved ones or being able to access the community to carry on their normal lives, the team had to look at innovative ways to help clients maintain contact with the outside world and enjoy a fulfilled life.

“With not being able to visit it was important to us all that the families of our clients were able to keep in contact with their loved ones,” explained associate director Ruth Pope.

“So we have been using technology for them to do this. It’s lovely to see the smiles on the residents’ faces when they have seen or spoken to their loved ones.”

Ruth and the team also looked at what residents would normally do and set up

the same activities in house, with discos, snooker tournaments, pub quiz nights, art club, bingo and games afternoons.

Three residents were weekly churchgoers, so staff set up Zoom on tablets so they could still attend and a weekly tea dance was introduced.

“At the start we were doing virtual shopping where the manager would video call the residents from a shop so they could choose their items as many of the shelves were empty.

“We quickly set up a shop in one of the houses where the residents were able to go into and choose items themselves.

“As accessing shops and the

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

Beating Lockdown Blues

Clockwise from left: Celebrating resident Richard’s 70th; birthday fun and games; residents using Zoom to attend church; keeping busy with all sorts of projects

community has changed so much it is important that we help them understand the new ‘rules’ ready for when they start accessing it again, so we have introduced visual guides for social distancing, markings on the floor and wearing masks when going to our shop.”

Like many people across the town and

beyond, some residents have celebrated lockdown birthdays and once again the team pulled out all the stops to make them as special as possible.

Among them was Richard, who has lived at Briarlea since it opened in 1995 and celebrated his 70th birthday with a Through the Decades party where the

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

staff dressed up and residents enjoyed entertainment from a singer.

And they’ve also been making the most of the good weather by getting their hands dirty in the garden.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of the local community, who have donated more than 100 face visors, a bookshelf for the shop, tyres to make raised planters and a selection of plant pots amongst other items,” added Ruth.

“With plants from our garden centre in Cramlington, we were able to provide an area where the residents could grow their own strawberries, blackberries, tomatoes and other fruit and vegetables.”. WW

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

Eating In

eating out in

LOCKDOWN fare from around Washington

Cream Curls

3 West View Concord NE37 2DT Tel: 07375 040208 creamcurls.co.uk/washington Words and images: Zoë Burn

S

INCE opening its doors 18 months ago, Cream Curls has become Washington’s favourite dessert bar, famed for its ice cream rolls and other sweet treats.

And earlier this year it upped its game by adding a selection of savoury options to its menu.

Unfortunately, the Washington Way team hadn’t got round to dropping by to sample some of its burgers or hot dogs before the lockdown, but were pleased to discover it was still offering takeaways Cream Curls is currently open from noon to 10pm daily and food can be ordered by telephone or via Just Eat and Uber Eats for collection or delivery.

We decided to order through Just Eat for collection, aware that if we ordered ice cream, getting it home before it melted was important and didn’t want to run the risk of being in a long queue of deliveries.

We’ve tried Cream Curls’ famous ice cream rolls before and we’ve always loved them, so decided it was time to sample something else – and we were also keen to try the savoury options too.

We tried the Viva Las Vegas and the So Cheesy Burger, a Cheesy Dog, loaded nachos, chips, a Mighty Mint Waffle and a Biscoff & Cookies Magic Cookie Dough.

Let’s start with the burgers. The Viva Las Vegas costs £4.45 and features a beef

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burger, melted cheese sauce, white cheddar, crispy onions, tomato and lettuce in a brioche bun.

The So Cheesy is a crispy chicken fillet with white cheddar, melted cheese sauce and cheesy Cheetos and also costs £4.45.

The problem with takeaways is that burgers never travel well. Wrapped in tin foil, they retained their heat but did look a bit sad when we unwrapped them.

Taste wise, they were both nice if not a little dry. They may not be at the gourmet end of the burger market, but they were still tasty.

The hot dog, priced at £3.45, was a little disappointing. It was tasty – Cream Curls uses the Rollover brand which you can’t go wrong with for flavour – but it came served in a pale baguette with cheese sauce poured on.

I think a hot dog needs a hot dog bun and while it tasted good, it looked terrible – so bad we couldn’t even get a decent photograph of it. The chips weren’t great either so we’d recommend

you give them a miss.

However, Cream Curls really excelled with the nachos. They come with chilli, cheese sauce and jalapenos and we were happily surprised to find it comes in separate pieces so you can assemble yourself when you get home.

There was a big stack of nachos, the chilli was delicious and the cheese sauce was also very tasty – when Cream Curls opens properly again we’ll be in there weekly to have these again.

And finally, the desserts.

It’s safe to say we could not fault these.

The Mighty Mint Waffle costs £4.95 and features Mint Aero chunks and After Eights topped with melted chocolate sauce and white and dark shavings with choice of whipped cream or ice cream and was absolutely fantastic.

The Cookie Dough comes with a combination of crushed Lotus biscuits and Oreos, drizzled with melted milk and white chocolate and white shavings, priced at £5.95.

Again we opted for ice cream, and again we were very impressed. The cookie dough itself was gorgeous and the topping was a chocoholic’s dream.

It seems the desserts are still very much the best thing that Cream Curls offers, but the savoury is still nice. We definitely recommend the nachos…and we’ll certainly be back. WW

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

Meet the Washington Slimming World Team Who we are and when can you find us

KATHERINE MASON Here for you every TUESDAY. Katherine is a mum to 2 and the Washington Team Developer.

She loves to Food Optimise with her family

CHRIS BATEMAN Here for you every THURSDAY, Chris loves a curry and the odd glass of wine.

Chris keeps active by swimming.

HELEN JOBLING Here for you every WEDNESDAY, Helen is a busy mum who loves pizza and curries.

She keeps active by riding her bicycle.

LILLIAN DRUMMOND Here for you every MONDAY and SATURDAY. Lillian is our longest serving consultant.

She loves serving up a good roast chicken dinner.

LYNNE PITTIGLIO Here for you on THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, Lynne loves to make her own takeaways as long as they don’t include fish.

Lynne is also a keen walker.

MICHELLE TURNBULL Here for you on TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, Michelle is our newest member of the team. A keen Parkrun member she loves all non-spicy food

SHARON RUDLAND Here for you every THURSDAY, Sharon is a busy mum of 3 who loves cooking curries for the family. She loves to work out at her HITT group

WANT TO KNOW MORE Ring Katherine on 07824 553785

Find us on Facebook Washington Slimming World

Visit Our Website www.SlimmingWorld.co.uk

MAKE YOUR OWN FACEMASK LIKE it or not, face masks are part of life at the moment and we all need to have one or two available for when we need them.

While there are loads to choose from online, making your own is a simple alternative, with numerous video tutorials available online.

A square scarf, large hanky, T-shirt or any pieces of fabric are perfect to use and if they’re a good quality cotton, can withstand washing at a high temperature.

To make your own simple mask requires very basic sewing skills, but is easily achievable – if you do get stuck you can always find a video online to keep you right. All you need is two pieces of cotton fabric, 10 x 6 inches, and some flat elastic, cut into two seven inch strips.

Put the right sides of fabric together, and starting at the centre of the bottom edge, sew to the first corner and stop.

Sew one elastic with the edge out into the corner with a few stitches.

Sew to the next corner, stop, and bring the other end of the same elastic to the

corner, and sew with a few stitches.

Now, sew across the top of the mask to the next corner. Again put an elastic with the edge out. Sew to the next corner, and sew in the other end of the same elastic.

Sew across the bottom, making sure to

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

leave about 1.5-2 ins open.

Cut the thread and turn inside out and then pin three tucks on each side, making sure they are in the same direction, then sew around the edge of the mask twice. WW

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GARDEN PARTY

*Image credits: Argos, B&M, B&Q, Divertimenti, Dobbies, Dunelm, Homebase, Poundland, The Range, very.co.uk, Wayfair, Wilko *All prices correct at time of going to press

No-one knows if anyone will be able to get away on holiday this year, so why not make the most of whatever good weather we may get by transforming your garden into the ultimate staycation venue…

Everyone loves Prosecco, and now you can make sure everyone knows about it with this Prosecco Garden Plaque £2.50 at Dunelm

Add a touch of colour to any space with these Ribbed Tin Troughs with handles, £3 each at B&M

Cosy up in even the smallest of gardens with the Forest Cadiz Arbour £319.99 at www.very.co.uk

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Enjoy picnic perfection with this pretty Freya Yellow Folding Bistro Set, £129 at Dobbies WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

Garden Party Light up your life with these cool Coloured Crackle Lights, just £1 each at Poundland

Fire up a fuss-free BBQ with the handy Zinc Plated BBQ Bucket £14.99 at The Range

Unleash your pizza making skills in your own back yard with the Ooni Fyra Pizza Oven, £229 from www.divertimenti.co.uk

Bring a touch of colour to even the smallest spaces with this cute Nurgul Pink Plastic Hanging Pot,, £5 at B&Q

We all love the sun, but make some time for the shade with this multi-colour 2m Parasol, £57.99 at Wayfair.co.uk Dine al fresco without the worry of damaging your crockery with these Colourful Picnic Plates, £1 for four-pack from Wilko

Turn up the heat and cook up a storm with the Margarita Cook & Eat Chimenea, £90 at Homebase

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

Relax and unwind day or night with the Lay-Z-Spa Cancun 2-4 person hot tub. £320 at Argos.

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WHAT’S ON LOCKDOWN LiSTiNGS AND ENTS

ONCE again we find ourselves in the strange place where there’s nothing going on. Lockdown restrictions may be easing, but social distancing rules mean all of our regular events, classes and groups are still unable to meet.

So we’ve picked out a few more things to do online along with some of the places you are now able to visit and we’re keeping everything crossed that by the time we print issue 5, there will be a bit more going on…

OUT & ABOUT Since our last edition, restrictions have eased a lot and now it’s much easier to

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get out and about and at least visit some places – although it’s essential that social distancing is observed.

Visitors are now actively

encouraged at our beach resorts, with the all-important public toilets and car parks now open. Use your common sense – if the beach is busy,

give it a miss but on days when the tide is low, there’s plenty of space to enjoy a walk – all the coastal fish and chip and ice cream shops have been open for a number of weeks, just be prepared to queue maybe a little longer.

It’s the same with parks and other open spaces. Some of the stately homes in nearby Northumberland are now opening their gardens to visitors, but it’s always best to check before you travel.

Here in Washington, we can once again catch up with our feathered friends as Washington Wetlands Centre is now back up and running.

However, the centre is limiting the number of visitors every day and tickets must be booked in advance. In the first few weeks, tickets were selling out very quickly so it’s best to plan a week ahead.

Visit the website: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

What's On

www.comedy.co.uk is a good start, followed by www.sidereel.com and www.popcornflix.com which offer movies, TV shows and viral videos.

This leads us on to films. We all know we can watch them free online, but not all sites are safe, or legal.

The best advice seems to come from the site www.lifewire.com.

It lists 12 recommended links, but also offers a wealth of information about streaming, and where to look for particular recordings.

However, remember you need a fast internet speed for watching films.

centres/washington for full details and to book.

If you fancy an adrenaline rush, Karting North East outdoor kart track at Warden Law began to welcome back hire karting events on July 4.

The centre has updated its cleaning procedures and made itself Covid-safe with sanitiser stations and screens, although booking is essential.

Bookings can be made online or by telephone. Visit the website: www.kartingnortheast.com.

experience, try searching ‘watching flowers open’ and enjoy fabulous time-lapse shots, guaranteed to lift your spirits.

And on the subject of nature, the world is your oyster - anything you want to view in the natural world is there, at your fingertips.

Interested in upcycling? The site Upcycle That www.upcyclethat.com is full of ideas, for kids and adults, to help us do our bit for the environment reusing leftover materials.

Everyone needs to laugh at the moment, and luckily there is plenty of comedy online.

KEEP YOUR MIND BUSY Try www.justcolour.net which is one of a few websites offering free colouring books to download.

This one contains 1,500 pages for adults and a great selection for children. The illustrations are truly beautiful.

RELAX ONLINE For those people who still want to – or have to – remain at home, there is plenty left to uncover on the web, with new things being added all the time.

For an uplifting and relaxing

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

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▷

▷

Alternatively, visit www.hobbycraft.co.uk which has a host of craft ideas including a selection of downloadable free colouring templates.

Jigsaw puzzles are a good way to combat boredom.

Even if you aren’t keen on them, you can become hooked when locked in the house with nothing better to do.

However they come with a problem. How many people have a spare table or a board?

One family member taking up the whole table with a jigsaw will not be popular, and this is where online jigsaws come in handy.

Among these are www.jigsawexplorer.com and www.onlinejigsawpuzzles.net.

Most jigsaw sites allow you to upload your own pictures, so you can while away the hours assembling pictures of yourself if you so choose.

All sites include puzzles for children.

Fancy a bit of new tech?

Visit www.lifewire.com, a site about technology for everyone.

It’s full of ideas about computers, phones, smart devices and more and explains things without being too technical, such as how to recover lost passwords, recover lost videos on android devices, and more.

It contains reviews, and the latest news in technology and is well worth a visit.

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How many people have said ‘I’d like to research my family tree, but never have time’?

Well, there’s no excuse now and www.ancestry.co.uk is a well-known source of information.

It isn’t free, but offers a 14 day trial. Other sites to check out are www.myheritage.com and www.findmypast.co.uk which offers 10 tips on how to get started.

Food shopping is still challenging to say the least, so we often find ourselves short of vital ingredients.

It can be quite fun trying to create new meals from the ones we already have, if we

can just think what to do with them.

Luckily, YouTube has the answer with a host of new videos.

Key in ‘cooking during lockdown’ and get creative you’ll find Indian, Italian and more...oh and a chocolate cake that can be made with three ingredients.

Meanwhile, www.goodtoknow.co.uk does exactly what it says on the tin.

It is good to know as it is full of recipes for dinners, cakes, and snacks.

It also includes a Slimming World section, which many of us will need when all this is over!

GET CRAFTY Fancy having a go at DIY? If so, wwwdiynetwork.com is for you, a site which also includes crafts, jewellery making, and interior decorating. Another is www.buildeasy.com.

We could fill the whole magazine with sites for craft fans, but www.craftster.org is probably the best one to mention. Two more are www.craftgossip.com and craftfreebies.com Fans of needlework will enjoy www.isew.com, and knitters are well served with www.sparklesofsunshine.com which lists 20 websites with free knitting patterns.

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

What's On

ESSENTIAL SUPPORT CONTACTS Age UK Sunderland: Sunderland Anyone over 55 who is vulnerable and cannot get out for their shopping due to the pandemic can ring 0191 565 9045.

Alzheimer’s Society: For people living with or affected by dementia, call the Dementia Support Line on 0333 150 3456 (open every day).

Citizens Advice Sunderland (North & East areas): 0300 3301194, Dedicated debt line on 0191 415 8998, enquiries@citizensadvicesunderland.co.uk COVID-19 helpline for businesses and self-employed: Advice, claims, retention schemes and more. 0800 024 1222 Christians Against Poverty: 0800 3280006 (citywide) Creative Minds - North Star Counselling: Visit facebook.com/creativemindsnsc FACT Sunderland: Help with household products and food to people who have to self-isolate due to receiving treatment, or suffering from cancer. Call 07759 139 351 or email info@fact-cancersupport.co.uk FISCUS: 0191 4470920 or 07983 355 212 (citywide)

Headway Wearside: For those suffering a stroke or brain injuries facebook.com/Headway-Wearside or call Kim on 07830 346 985 HMRC General Tax Credit Helpline: 0345 300 3900 IMPACT North East: facebook.com/ impactschoolservices/ Job Centre Plus: 0800 055 6688 Textphone: 0800 023 4888 NERAF: Telephone support for people with substance misuse addiction, call 0191 514 8520 NHS Direct: Call 111, nhsdirect.nhs.uk Samaritans: 24/7service free to call on 116 123, www.samaritans.org/how-wecan-help/contact-samaritan/.

Crisis support available from Sunderland Crisis Team on 0301 231 145 Shiney Advice and Resource Project (ShARP): Supporting vulnerable families and offering welfare rights/benefits advice. Also supporting Washington project WISP via the Washington Food bank outlet at St Michael & All Angels in Sulgrave. Visit facebook.com/SharpShineyRow/

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

St Benedict’s Hospice: Support for people who are in the at risk group due to a terminally ill disease.

Call 0191 512 8400 Sunderland Counselling Services: Call the team on 0301 231 145 from 9am4pm or email office@sundelandcounselling.org.uk Sunderland Initial Response Team (IRT): Available 24/7 on 0303 123 1145 Sunderland Welfare Rights Service: 0191 520 5555, email welfare.rights@sunderland.gov.uk Sunderland West Advice Project (West area): 07768 985074, swap@pallionactiongroup.co.uk Washington Community Food Bank: Now back in its main premises at Unit 0 at The Galleries. Updates on facebook.com/washingtoncfp/ Washington MIND: Support via telephone and online. Call 0191 417 8043 or 07507 330 995, visit facebook.com/washingtonmind or www.washingtonmind.org Wearside Women in Need: 24-hour helpline on 0800 066 5555.

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LOCAL SPORT BOUNCES BACK Clockwise from below: AFC players and coaches demonstrating at-home skills and drills; the rugby club returns

As the summer of 2020 turns a corner, Washington’s local sports teams are finally returning to action – but gameplay could still be a long way off...

Words: Aaron League Images: Washington AFC, Washington RFC, Clubhouse Media Group

P

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ITCHES across Washington have been unusually silent over the past three months in what should have been the final leg of many championships and title fights.

But in the run up to the 2020-21 season later this year, it looks like local grounds could finally see some use.

Professional sport only made a return late last month, albeit behind closed doors, with the resurgence of the Premier League, which ran behind closed doors, but it was the smaller clubs which were left wondering when they could finally get back on track.

two of the six-step phased return to action it had set out for community play.

With the RFU’s guidance in mind, including restrictions on group size, minimal equipment contact and social distancing, Washington RFC players returned to training late last month.

“The new limit on groups of six [exercising together] was really the trigger for us to start training again,” admits Club Chairman Oliver Clewes.

“And as things change with distancing going down to a metre, it just gives us that bit of extra scope to continue.

“We’re lucky that the fields we use for

Those non-professional and development squads could only abide by what their governing bodies, the likes of the FA (Football Association) and the RFU (Rugby Football Union), deemed safe.

As Washington Way went to press, Rugby’s governing body was still in part

training are huge and it allows everyone to be comfortable spacing themselves out. Everyone brings their own hand gel and that kind of stuff.

“We’re doing as much as we can with the guidance we have, but everyone’s got to take responsibility and do their part.”

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

Sport

They may be back to keeping fit and preparing for when the whistle finally blows on the new season, but Clewes says at the moment matches are still a good few months away.

“We’ve got a PT who’s coming down to run the sessions and give the guys a beasting, so it’s all focussed around that. There’s no intent to get back to any contact training or anything like that at this point – we really need robust guidance on that.

“Unfortunately with rugby, how do you scrummage or ruck without any contact?

It’s a little bit different to football so we’ve just got to wait and see.

“It does limit the extent to which we can go into a preseason, but I think everyone just wants to get back out of the house, have a bit of banter and a laugh with their mates. It’s good we can

do that a couple nights a week now.”

Washington AFC finds itself in a largely similar position with the FA’s guidance on grassroots football limiting activity to small group training sessions.

At the tail end of last month, the

governing body was still relying on early-June instructions which included significant limitations on what could and could not be done during practice.

The club has encouraged players through videos on social media to keep up their fitness and footwork skills “The issue we’ve got is that we’re quite a big club, so it wasn’t as easy as saying ‘right we’re going to start training again in June when the FA said we could’,” says Gary Sykes, AFC’s Head of Football.

“We wanted to make sure everything was managed properly to ensure that everyone is safe.

“At the moment teams can train, but they can only train if risk assessments and insurance are in place,” “They’ve got to think about spacing

government guidelines on July 4 the FA will issue some new guidelines too.”

With professional football comfortably back into the swing of things with restrictions in place, Sykes says they could be looking at a return to competitive play within the next eight weeks – but also reveals that it’s still up in the air.

“For the men’s first team, we’re going by guidelines put out by the league. It could be an August start, a September

between players, the two metre rule and all that, so we as a club will probably be coming back [this month].

“So hopefully we’re going to start again on July 6. We’re hoping that with the new

start or even into October or November.

“If it starts in November we may only play each other once or twice, but we just have to see how everything goes.” WW

WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

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Crossword

CROSSW RD ACROSS 1 Beautiful (8) 5 Moves through water (5) 10 Unconventional (7) 11 Pilot (7) 12 Pollen gatherers (4) 13 When the living is easy (10) 14 Otherwise (4) 16 Artificial sparkler (10) 19 Corridor (10) 22 Yorkshireman (4) 24 Preceding wedlock (10) 25 Precious stones (4) 28 Shining (7) 29 Hollowed inward (7) 30 Bovine mammary gland (5) 31 Austrian Alpine resident (8) DOWN 1 Farewell (7) 2 Plunder (5) 3 Paradise (4) 4 Lie (7) 6 Restaurant worker (8) 7 Marriage (9) 8 Opera by Bizet (6) 9 Current of air (6) 15 Pendent (9) 17 Large island in the Channel (1,1,1) 18 Computer information store (8) 19 Thin and translucent (6) 20 Expels (6) 21 Disorder (7) 23 Oriental (7) 26 Fill with high spirits (5) 27 Untie (4)

GET YOUR BUSINESS OR SERVICE SEEN BY TENS OF THOUSANDS OF READERS AND PUZZLE CRACKERS SPONSOR THE WASHINGTON WAY CROSSWORD. DON'T DELAY EMAIL ADS@WASHINGTONWAY.CO.UK TODAY

Issue 3 answers: Across: 1 N A S A, 3 Basketball, 10 Therefore, 11 Queen, 12 Outlast, 13 Skittle, 14 Acne, 15 Elephants, 19 Prosecute, 21 Frau, 24 Excerpt, 27 Oxshott, 28 Aspen, 29 Harmonica, 30 Arithmetic, 31 Neat.

Down: 1 National, 2 Sweetener, 4 Apostolic, 5 Knees, 6 Tequila, 7 Adept, 8 Lintel, 9 Began, 16 Pot-pourri, 17 Terrorize, 18 Subtract, 20 Scrunch, 22 Nevada, 23 Ascot, 25 Capri, 26 Tahoe.

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WASHINGTON WAY » washingtonway.co.uk » Issue 4

Dial an Expert

Your handy guide to Washington’s trades & services

Family Tidings They're all about who you love

Births, Weddings, Bereavements SHARE YOUR FAMILY NEWS THROUGH US

familytidings.co.uk

OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL All aspects of joinery work: •Doors & Windows •Skirting Boards •Fitted Wardrobes •Solid & Laminate Flooring 0191 416 6619 or 07890 170 911 northeastjoinery@live.com

CORONAVIRUS

THINK OF OTHERS WHEN SHOPPING

Remember to stay 2 metres apart Wear a face covering if you can For more ways to stay safe go to gov.uk/coronavirus